How-to: Marquee Letter Sign

Create this fun DIY available exclusively for HGTV Magazine online.

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DIY Marquee Initial Sign Lights Up Kid's Bedroom

HGTV Magazine: For this marquee-inspired sign for her 4-year-old daughter's bedroom, mom Mandi Gruber drew a letter d on a 2-foot-by-4-foot piece of plywood and used a jigsaw to cut it out. (A lumberyard that has a jigsaw can cut it for you if you draw the shape.) Then she drilled holes for the lights. To make the d three-dimensional, she stapled flexible MDF around the outline. The bulbs inserted in the holes are a string of globe lights from Target. Step-by-step instructions for this project can be found at HGTV Magazine online.

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Most people struggle to find art, especially art that’s on the larger side. Big wall decor is usually one of two things—super expensive or a snooze-fest. But not this giant marquee letter sign.

Marquee letters are quite the rage right now. Most of the DIY versions are made from chipboard 3D letters from the craft store. Those are great, but what if you want something larger and more amazing than your standard 18 inches? Read on for a step-by-step to create this fun DIY!

Materials Needed:

2x4 piece of plywood (3/4” width suggested)

four 5.5” x 4” pieces of 1/8”-thick MDF

strand of globe string lights

wood glue

hot glue (optional)

120 grit sandpaper

wrapping paper

spray adhesive

poster board

paint

smooth-finish paint roller

jigsaw

staple gun

drill

3/4" paddle drill bit

1/2" round drill bit

miter saw

picture wire

eye hooks or screws

screwdriver

pen or pencil

tape measure

Step 1

Choose your letter and your font. You have two options at this point. If you are comfortable freehand drawing the font design, do it. If you want something to trace you can have your local printer print out a full size version of the image.

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Step 2

After you transfer the letter image to your plywood, cut it out with a jigsaw. It’s best to go slow and steady when using a jigsaw to get a more precise cut. If your letter has a center hole, use a 1/2” bit to drill a starting point for your saw blade so that you are able to cut out the middle.

Mandi Gubler, vintagerevivals.com

Mandi Gubler, vintagerevivals.com

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Step 3

Put something underneath the letter to elevate it off the ground. Spray paint caps were used in this example, but you could use anything that offers a stable surface. Measure the distance between each light bulb on your sting. Use that number to measure and mark the spots on your letter (beginning in the center) where you’ll drill holes for the light sockets. Drill holes using 3/4" paddle drill bit.

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Step 5

Lay the pieces of MDF side by side and paint one side using a roller that is designed for a smooth finish. It’s best to go in one direction in a long stroke, so not to create visible brush marks. Let dry.

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Step 8

Use a tape measure and a saw to cut the MDF for length in places such as the top of the letter and around the curve of the d. Staple along the seam where you marked the MDF in the previous step (shown below). For the center hole use poster board, which is much easier to bend. Your sign should be 3D from both the back and front.

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Step 9

Once your letter is completely framed, flip it over so that the backside is up and put a line of wood glue along the seam. (Keep it out of the very corners because it has a tendency to leak through to the front on those spots).

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Step 10

While your glue is drying, cut your wrapping paper to the same dimensions as the outer side of MDF. Use spray adhesive to secure paper to MDF. If you don’t want to cover the entire outside, you can paint it and put a line of ribbon, washi tape, or leather along the seam to cover the staples.

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Step 11

Thread a bulb from the string of lights through each hole from the back of the sign. Lights should fit snuggly, but a bit of hot glue will make sure they stay in place if needed. Tuck the remaining string behind the letter after removing the leftover bulbs. Leave only the length needed to plug the sign in.

Step 12

To hang the sign, screw in a few short eyehooks to the backside of the letter (make sure they don’t go through all of the way!) Attach picture wire. If your letter is not hanging straight, put a small nail in your wall to support the other side. This doesn’t hold the sign’s weight, only keeps it level. Plug in.

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